Inside the Institute

Behind the Scenes: Vacuum Testing

The one question we're always asked when people tour the Institute and see our embedded dirt testor for vacuum cleaners is, "What's the best vacuum?" The answer depends greatly on your personal needs.

Purchasing a vacuum is a big investment, so as a part of our "Allergy-Proof Your Home" section for the September issue of Good Housekeeping, we put 40 full-size machines (uprights and canisters) through a slew of tests. Each was triple-tested for deep-down dirt removal, pet hair pick-up, bare floor cleaning, and the force required to tip it over. We also had consumers (some who vacuum often and others who never used a vacuum in their lives) test-drive them.

Here are a few insider tips:

Don't be fooled by the size or weight. The weight of an upright can influence cleaning results but isn't the only factor in performance. In our tests, a model that weighed nearly 1 and a half times less than another performed just as well at picking up ground-in dirt.

When using the attachment tools, extend the hose from the rear of the vacuum, rather than from the right or left. We found a majority of the vacuums tested didn't tip over when the hose was pulled towards the back of the unit.

To ensure that your model operates at its optimal level, it's crucial to properly maintain it. Replacing partially full bags and cleaning the filters on a regular basis will prolong the life of your vacuum. If you have a pet, you may have to change the bag more often. I found it much easier and quicker to clean bagged vacuums than bagless ones. Completely emptying some of the dust cups were messy and time consuming.

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